Fast-paced golf game with risk/reward-based scoring system

ABSTRACT

A method of providing a game of golf using a scorecard, the method comprising designating a number of points available for each shot a player takes in a round of golf when playing towards a golf hole, the number of points being designated according to a difficulty of a shot taken by a player; and providing the scorecard for completion by or for the player with a score achieved after each shot is played.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the game of golf and, moreparticularly, to a new and improved method for playing a game of golfwith equipment including a scorecard that is integral to the game.

BACKGROUND

Disadvantages arise with the prior art game of golf in that the game canlack excitement for players and spectators.

It is an object of the present invention to address the abovementioneddisadvantage.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus andmethod as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of theinvention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and thedescription which follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of providing a game of golf using a scorecard, the methodcomprising designating a number of points available for each shot aplayer takes in a round of golf when playing towards a golf hole, thenumber of points being designated according to a difficulty of a shottaken by a player; and providing the scorecard for completion by or forthe player with a score achieved after each shot is played.

The method may also comprise designating a number of points forfinishing a given golf hole with a predefined number of strokes.

The method may include providing a plurality of possible points to bescored for each shot played on a given golf hole, with the achievednumber of points achieved on a given shot being selected or marked afterthe shot has been played.

The scorecard may include a location for inserting a sum of the pointsachieved for a given hole.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided ascorecard for a golf game, the scorecard comprising, for each hole of agolf course to be played, a number of points for hitting a regulationshot that would achieve a par number of shots for a given hole, and oneor more numbers of points for hitting an under regulation shot thatwould achieve a sub-par number of shots for the given hole.

The numbers of points may be displayed in abstract symbols, such assquares or circles or the like, or may be displayed in numerals. Eachabstract symbol may correspond to a given number of points. The abstractshapes may have different colours, with each abstract shape and colourcombination representing a given number of points.

The scorecard may include a location for inserting a sum of the pointsachieved for a given hole.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of using a golf course comprising dividing a group of playersinto sub-groups, setting off each sub-group of players at the start of adifferent starting golf hole on the golf course to the other sub-groupsat substantially the same time, each sub-group playing a golf game onthe respective different starting golf holes in a set period of time.

Each of the sub-groups may proceed to a following golf hole on the golfcourse after playing the respective starting golf holes.

The efficiency of use of the golf course is thereby advantageouslyimproved by arranging the sub-groups to play simultaneously on therespective starting and following golf holes. The throughput of playerson the golf course used in this way is maximized for better use of theresource available. The technical benefit of maximizing throughput in alimited resource improves efficiency and lowers a residual cost ofrunning the golf course.

The method may include providing a scoring system for each golf hole onthe golf (or playing) course, wherein each player can earn apredetermined number of shot points for each type of shot that theplayer makes while the player is playing up to a putting surface orgreen for the golf hole, and each player can also earn a predeterminednumber of result points for finishing the golf hole with a predefinednumber of strokes.

According to another aspect of the invention a method of playing a roundof golf, comprising one or more of the following steps: a) providing aplaying course having a plurality of holes, each hole having a teeingground, a fairway, a green and a cup on the green; b) dividing acollection of players into a plurality of groups, each group havingmultiple players; c) assigning each group of multiple players to beginplay on one of the plurality of holes on the playing course; d)providing a scoring system for each hole on the playing course, whereineach player can earn a predetermined number of shot points for each typeof shot that the player makes while the player is playing up to thegreen for the hole, and each player can also earn a predetermined numberof result points for finishing the hole with a predefined number ofstrokes; e) activating a starting signal to signal each group in theplurality of groups to start playing on the assigned hole, so that allgroups in the plurality of groups are playing the plurality of holessimultaneously, wherein an objective of each player in each group is tostrike a ball into the cup on the green for the assigned hole whileaccumulating the highest number of shot points and the highest number ofresult points in accordance with the scoring system for the assignedhole; f) rotating each group in the plurality of groups to the next holeon the playing course until all of the players in all of the groups haveplayed all of the holes on the playing course; and g) declaring aparticular player to be a winner of the round based on the particularplayer's score for the round, wherein the particular player's score forthe round comprises the sum of the particular player's total number ofshot points and total number of result points accumulated during theround.

The plurality of holes for the playing course may comprise six holes.

The collection of players may comprise twenty-four players, or maycomprise a smaller number.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's scoreat the end of each round for every ball that the player hitout-of-bounds, or is deemed unplayable, during that hole.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's scoreat the end of hole for every ball that the player lost during that hole.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's scoreat the end of each hole for every ball that the player hit into a waterhazard during that hole.

The method may further comprise deducting points from a player's scoreat the end of each hole for every ball that the player hit into anunplayable lie during that hole.

The method may further comprise the scoring system for a par 3 hole onthe playing course rewarding a player with: zero shot points for failingto hit the green on the first stroke; zero result points for failing todrive the ball into the cup on the green in three or fewer strokes; apositive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green onthe first stroke; a positive number of result points for driving theball into the cup on the green in exactly three strokes; and arelatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ballinto the cup on the green in less than three strokes.

The method may further comprise the scoring system for a par 4 hole onthe playing course rewarding a player with: zero shot points for failingto hit the fairway on the first stroke; zero shot points for failing tohit the green on either the first or second strokes; zero result pointsfor failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green in four or fewerstrokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto thefairway on the first stroke; a positive number of shot points fordriving the ball onto the green on the second stroke; a relativelyhigher positive number of shot points for driving the ball onto thegreen on the first stroke; a positive number of result points fordriving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly four strokes; anda relatively higher positive number of result points for driving theball into the cup on the green in less than four strokes.

The method may further comprise the scoring system for a par 5 hole onthe playing course rewarding a player with: zero shot points for failingto hit the fairway on the first stroke; zero shot points for failing tohit the fairway on the either the first or the second stroke; zero shotpoints for failing to hit the green on either the first, the second orthird strokes; zero result points for failing to drive the ball into thecup on the green in five or fewer strokes; a positive number of shotpoints for driving the ball onto the fairway on either the first or thesecond strokes; a positive number of shot points for driving the ballonto the green on the third stroke; a relatively higher positive numberof shot points for driving the ball onto the green on either the firstor the second strokes; a positive number of result points for drivingthe ball into the cup on the green in exactly five strokes; and arelatively higher positive number of result points for driving the ballinto the cup on the green in less than five strokes.

The method may further comprise penalizing a player for failing to hitthe ball within a prescribed time limit.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of theabove aspects in any combination.

Golf Warriors™ Overview (Method of Play)

A golf game organized and played in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention may be known and referred to by some players,spectators, operators, broadcasters or sponsors as a game of “GolfWarriors.™” However, the golf game provided by the present inventionalso may be known under a variety of different names, depending onmarketing, sponsorship, branding and broadcasting objectives. Regardlessof the name selected, embodiments of the golf game of the presentinvention are played on one or more sections of a conventional golfcourse using conventional golf clubs, golf balls and other golfingequipment. However, the game of the present invention incorporates afundamentally different scoring system, scoring card and methodology ofusing a golf course, as well as variations and exceptions in the playingrules of the game that distinguish it from conventional golf games.

A general description of a Golf Warriors™ tournament played inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention willnow be described at a high level in order to provide context and therebyimprove the reader's understanding and comprehension of the specificgame rules and improved scoring system, both of which are described inmore detail below. It is understood, however, that variations andmodifications may be employed for any particular game, tournament, matchor friendly competition of Golf Warriors™, without departing from thescope of the claimed invention.

In general, Golf Warriors™ is organized so that a group of players playa round of golf simultaneously, or otherwise, on a selected portion of aconventional golf course. In preferred embodiments the group of playerscomprises twenty four players, or a smaller number, and the selectedportion of a conventional golf course comprises six of the eighteenholes found on a conventional golf course. However, the exact size ofthe group of participating players and the exact number of holes on thecourse are not critical aspects of the invention. Embodiments of thepresent invention may be played with larger or smaller groups ofplayers, as well as larger or smaller golf courses. Thus, the GolfWarriors™ course may comprise, for example, the first six holes,designated 1 through 6, on the 18-hole golf course, or middle five holesof an 18-hole golf course, the last nine holes on a 36-hole golf course,and so on, depending, for instance, on the size of the group ofparticipants, the desired number of rounds, or the desired duration ofthe game or tournament. In preferred embodiments, the size of the courseis six holes because using six holes tends to provide a sufficientamount of competitive excitement, as well as game durations that arewell-suited for broadcasting as live or taped television events.

When the field comprises twenty-four players and the size of the coursecomprises 6 holes, the twenty-four players are divided into six groupsof four players each (each group is referred to as “a foursome”), andeach foursome is assigned to begin play at one of the six holes on thecourse. As each foursome completes a hole, that foursome will move on toplay the next hole on the 6-hole golf course, until every foursome hasplayed every hole in the 6-hole course. Thus, the foursome assigned tostart the game on hole 1, will first play hole 1, then play hole 2, thenhole 3, and so on, until that foursome has played at all six holes. Thefoursome assigned to begin the game on hole 2 will also play all sixholes on the 6-hole course, except that the second foursome will firstplay hole 2, followed by playing at holes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 1, in thatorder. The third foursome begins play at hole 3, and then plays holes 4,5, 6, 1 and 2. The fourth foursome begins on hole 4, and then proceedsto play at holes 5, 6, 1, 2 and 3. Likewise, the fifth foursome startson hole 5 and finishes on hole 4, while the sixth foursome starts onhole 6 and finishes on hole 5. Playing all six holes on the 6-holecourse is referred to as completing a “round.”

Notably, but it is not essential, all of the foursomes may start playingsubstantially simultaneously. Thus, when a game official or refereegives a start signal by, for example, activating a starter gun or horn,play commences substantially simultaneously on all six holes of thecourse. More specifically, when the start signal is given, the firstplayer in every foursome must, within a predetermined amount of time(e.g., 35 seconds), attempt to strike his or her golf ball off of a teein the tee box associated with the hole assigned to that foursome, withthe objective of hitting the golf ball onto the fairway or onto thegreen for the assigned hole. After the first player has taken his or hertee shot, the other three players in the foursome will take their turnsattempting to hit their own golf balls out of the tee box and onto thefairway or onto the green (depending on the length and par of the hole).After all of the players in a foursome have teed off from the tee box ofthe assigned hole, each player in the foursome then proceeds to movedown the fairway toward the new resting positions of their golf balls,and then takes additional shots as necessary to accomplish striking orputting their respective golf balls into the cup on the green. When allof the players in a foursome have put their golf balls into the assignedhole, the entire foursome will then move to the tee box for the nexthole on the 6-hole course. Play continues in this manner until all sixholes have been played by all six of the foursomes. The goal of everyplayer is to play all six holes on the course, thereby completing theround, while accumulating as many points as possible, in accordance withthe Golf Warriors™ rules and the Golf Warriors™ scoring system, asdescribed below. The winner of the round is the player who accumulatesthe highest score for that round. In some embodiments, multiple winnersmay be declared for each round based on their high scores.

The group of twenty-four players playing simultaneously on a 6-hole GolfWarriors™ course may be referred to as a “pod.” In tournament play,while the first pod plays a round on a first 6-hole course, any numberof additional pods of 24 players each may be playing at the same time onany number of other 6-hole courses. Thus, while pod A plays on holes 1-6of an 18-hole golf course, two other pods, e.g., pods B and C, may beplaying on holes 7-12, and holes 13-18, respectively, of the same18-hole course at the same time. Likewise, if the setting is a 36-holegolf course, then additional pods, e.g., pods D, E and F, may also beplaying on holes 19-24, holes 25-30 and holes 31-36, respectively, atthe same time that pods A, B and C are playing on holes 1-18. At the endof each round in the tournament, a certain number of players (e.g., 8 or12 players from each pod) are eliminated from the tournament becausethey have lower scores, while a certain number of higher-scoring players(e.g., the top 18 or top 12 players from each pod) are selected to moveon to the next round. New pods of 24 players each are formed from thecollection of players that have not been eliminated. Then all of thescores for all of the players in the new pods are reset to zero and newrounds are started with the new pods playing multiple 6-hole coursessimultaneously.

As each new round is completed, additional players are eliminated fromthe tournament for having the lowest scores in the round. By thisprocess of elimination, the total number of players in the tournamentwill eventually be reduced to 24 players (i.e., just enough players toform a final, single pod). At this point, the last 24 players in thefinal pod are divided into six foursomes and a final round is played ona course comprising six designated holes. The player (or players) withthe highest score(s) in this final round will be declared the winner ofthe tournament.

Golf Warriors™ Scoring System

In a conventional game of golf, the unit of scoring typically compriseseither the total number of strokes taken plus penalty strokes assessedover one or more rounds (stroke play), or the total number of holes wonand holes awarded over one or more rounds (match play). Therefore, thewinner of a conventional game of golf in stroke play is the player whoaccumulates the fewest number of strokes, and the winner of aconventional game of golf in match play is the player who wins the mostholes. Unlike the scoring systems in conventional games of golf,however, the scoring system for the game of the present invention isbased on an accumulated point system, wherein each player earns acertain number of points for each individual shot that the player makeswhile playing the hole, plus a certain number of points for finishingthe hole by taking a predefined number of strokes, such as the number ofstrokes required to make par, a birdie, an eagle or an albatross on thehole. In other words, a player can earn multiple points for successfullyexecuting each shot in a series of shots taken while playing anindividual hole. And a player can earn additional points on the hole forfinishing the hole with an eagle (which is two strokes underregulation). So, for example, if the hole is a par 5, and a player hitsthe ball four times to move the ball the 500 or so yards between thegolf tee in the tee box and the cup on the green, then that player couldearn as many as four separate point rewards on the hole, one reward forsuccessfully executing each one of his first three shots, plus a fourthreward for putting the ball in the cup in fewer shots than the definedregulation or five strokes. The player who accumulates the most pointsover the entire round is declared the winner of the round.

To promote more competitive and entertaining games, considerably morepoints are awarded to players for successfully executing higher-risk,more difficult and exciting shots, as opposed to lower-risk, easy androutine shots. Consequently, players in the game of the presentinvention are almost constantly encouraged and motivated to eschew safeand routine shots in favor of trying extraordinary and audacious shots,especially when those players are playing from behind and need toincrease their scores dramatically in order to catch players who arecurrently leading on accumulated points. Accordingly, skilled playerswho play the course in an aggressive manner, consistently takingadvantage of opportunities to make difficult shots, will almost alwayshave the point advantage at the end of a round over players who playconservatively. On the other hand, players who methodically plod througha round in conservative, workman-like manner, consistently taking andmaking shots that are safe, easy and routine, and declining to attemptmore challenging and dramatic shots, will usually fail to accumulate asufficient number of points to win the round, despite accumulating allof the points available for playing the course on par (i.e., achievingno better or worse than the predetermined regulation score). Because thescoring system encourages bold and aggressive play, and inspires playersto take and make sensational, and sometimes heroic shots, the golf gameof the present invention dramatically increases the drama and excitementof every round for players and spectators alike.

A more detailed description of the scoring system will now be provided.As in conventional golf, regulation play on a par 5 hole comprisestaking three strokes to get the ball onto the green and putting twice onthe green to get the ball into the cup. “Under regulation” play for apar 5 hole requires striking the ball onto the green in two or fewerstrokes and placing the ball into the cup with no more than a total offour strokes all together. Regulation play on a par 4 hole comprisestaking two strokes to get the ball onto the green and putting twice onthe green to get the ball into the cup. Under regulation play for a par4 hole requires striking the ball onto the green in two or fewer strokesand placing the ball into the cup with no more than a total of threestrokes all together. Regulation play on a par 3 hole comprises takingone stroke to get the ball onto the green and putting twice on the greento get the ball into the cup. And under regulation play for a par 3 holerequires striking the ball onto the green in one stroke and placing theball into the cup with no more than a total of two strokes all together.

In embodiments of the golf game of the present invention, shot attemptsthat are typically supposed to hit the fairway have two possibleoutcomes, namely a regulation hit (the ball comes to rest on thefairway) or a miss (the ball does not come to rest on the fairway).Normally, the fairway for a particular hole is defined as the closelymown area of the course lying between the teeing ground and the greenfor that particular hole. Therefore, a ball will be deemed to be on thefairway for the hole if the ball comes to rest on this closely mown areabetween the teeing ground and the green for the hole while the player isplaying that particular hole. When a player shoots an errant shot andthe ball comes to rest on a nearby fairway for a different hole, insteadof the fairway for the hole that is currently being played, then theshot is considered a miss.

Shot attempts that are typically supposed to hit the green have threepossible outcomes, namely a regulation hit, an under regulation hit, ora miss. Whether a shot that lands on the green is a regulation hit or anunder regulation hit depends, of course, on the par for the hole, aswell as whether the shot is the first, second or third shot for thehole. Regulation hits are rewarded with a predetermined number ofpoints. Under regulation hits are rewarded with substantially morepoints than regulation hits. Shots that are classified as misses are notrewarded with any points. Therefore, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, successfully executing a regulation hit on the fairway or thegreen might be rewarded with 2 points. But successfully executing anunder regulation hit on the green from the same location might berewarded with as many as 8 points, which is a substantial increase. Theadditional points awarded for executing under regulation shots whiletrying to get the ball onto the green provides a very strong incentivefor players to take more risks while shooting from the tee box, from therough or from the fairway. But passing up the opportunity to hit aregulation shot onto the fairway or onto the green, and insteadattempting to hit the fairway or the green in an under regulation shot,does not come without risks. Any shot that fails to hit the fairway andalso fails to hit the green is considered a complete miss, which earnsno points at all.

Sometimes a ball will come to rest with only part of the ball on thefairway or the rough. In embodiments of the present invention, a ball isdeemed to be on the fairway if the ball comes to rest with any part ofthe ball overhanging or touching the fairway of the playing hole.Likewise a ball is deemed to be on the putting green if the ball comesto rest with any part of the ball overhanging or touching the puttinggreen of the playing hole. In these situations, the player who hit theball may consult with his playing partners to determine whether the ballwill be deemed to rest on the fairway or the green.

In addition to rewarding under regulation shots made during the run upto the green, embodiments of the present invention also provide greaterrewards for better final results on each hole. Specifically, inembodiments of the present invention, there are five possible results oneach hole, namely a par, a birdie, an eagle, an albatross, or a miss. Toprovide additional incentives for aggressive play, as well asopportunities for amazing comebacks and dramatic collapses, each one ofthese five possible results earns a different number of points. Inpreferred embodiments, for example, the points awarded for resultsclassified as pars, birdies, eagles and albatrosses might be 2 points, 6points, 10 points and 16 points, respectively, and the awarded forachieving a result that is anything worse than a par is 0 points.

To better illustrate the scoring system of the present invention,suppose the hole is a par 5, where an average player is expected to hitthe fairway on his first shot, hit the fairway again on his second shot,and then hit the green on his third shot. If the player hits these threeshots as expected, then each one of his first three shots will beclassified as a regulation hit, for which the player will earn thepredetermined number of points for regulation hits. If the predeterminednumber of points for regulation hits is “2,” for instance, then theplayer will receive 2 points for hitting the fairway on the first shot,2 points for hitting the fairway again on the second shot, and 2 pointsfor hitting the green on the third shot, thereby collecting a total of 6points. Conversely, if the player fails to hit the fairway on his firstshot (shooting into the rough, for example), then the first shot will beconsidered a miss, and the player will get zero points for the firstshot. If the player also fails to hit the fairway on his second shot,then he will get zero points for his second miss (failing to hit hissecond shot in regulation). If the player fails to hit the fairway onhis first shot, fails to hit the fairway or the green on his secondshot, and also fails to hit the green within three shots, then he willcollect zero points for missing all three of his first three shotsleading up to the green on the par 5 hole. Put another way, the playerwill have squandered the opportunity to collect at least 6 regulationpoints for that hole. The player has also squandered an opportunity tocollect even more under regulation points for that hole.

Fortunately, all is not lost for this player because the scoring systemin embodiments of the present invention provides ample opportunities fordramatic comebacks, provided the player can manage to execute a verygood or amazing shot from the player's current location. Thus, a playerwho has failed to hit the fairway or the green on his first three shotson a par 5 hole, and who's ball is therefore sitting in the roughinstead of on the fairway or the green, could nevertheless collect adecent number of points on the hole by hitting his ball directly intothe hole from the rough on his fourth shot (resulting in a birdie for 6points), or placing his ball very close to the hole on his fourth shot,thereby setting himself up to sink the ball into the hole on his fifthshot, to make par and collect 2 points.

To further illustrate the scoring system of the present invention, Table1 above shows an example of a filled-out scorecard that could be used tokeep score in a game of Golf Warriors™ organized, played and scored inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the game. As shown on thescorecard in Table 1, this particular course comprises 6 holes, numbered1-6, comprising two par 5 holes, two par 4 holes and two par 3 holes. Itshould be understood, however, that the total number of holes on thecourse, as well as the number of par 5 holes, par 4 holes and par 3holes, are not a critical aspect of the invention. The game of thepresent invention may be played on a course comprising any number ofholes, as well as any number or combination of par 5 holes, par 4 holes,and par 3 holes. Thus, the game might be played on a 10-hole courseinstead of a 6-hole course, on a course comprising all par 5 holes, allpar 4 holes, or any combination of par 3, 4 and 5 holes withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The first column on the scorecard shown in Table 1 contains the numberand par for the hole. The second column of the table, labeled “Fairway1,” shows, for each hole, the number of points that will be awarded forhitting the fairway on the first shot of the hole. Notably, no pointsare available for hitting the fairway on the first shot for holes 2 and5 because those two holes are par 3 holes, and the player is expected tohit the green on the first shot. The third column, labeled “Fairway 2,”shows the number of points available for hitting the fairway on thesecond shot. As indicated by the shaded cells at rows 2, 3 and 4 of thethird column of the table, however, sometimes no points are availablefor hitting the fairway on the second shot. In this case, points areearned for hitting the fairway on the second shot only on holes 1 and 4.No points are earned for hitting the fairway on the second shots ofholes 2, 3, 5 and 6 because the average golfer is expected to put theball onto the green on his first or second shot. The fourth column showsthe number of points available for hitting the green. Notably, there aretwo possible outcomes (other than misses) for hitting the green, namely2 points for hitting the green on a regulation shot, and 8 points forhitting the green on an under regulation shot. The fourth column,labeled “Result,” shows four different point rewards for achieving oneof the five possible results on the hole. The fifth possible result, notshown in the Results column, is a miss, which gets zero points.

In the exemplary scorecard of Table 1, the points earned by and awardedto a particular player are circled. Misses, however, which earn nopoints, are not marked or otherwise indicated on the scorecard. Based onthe circled numbers on the scorecard shown in Table 1, it is evidentthat, on hole No. 1, this player scored a regulation hit on the fairwayon his first shot (earning 2 points), scored an under regulation hit onthe green on his second shot (earning him 8 points), and putted twice onthe green to register a birdie for the hole (which earned him 6 points).Therefore, the player accumulated a total of 16 points (2+8+6) on thefirst hole. Because there is no circle around the “2” located in thecolumn labeled “Fairway 2” and there is a circle around the “8” locatedin the column labeled “Green,” it should be clear that the playerelected to drive his second shot all the way to the green from thelocation on the fairway where the ball came to rest after his firstshot. If the player had instead elected to execute an easier, less riskyand routine shot to hit the fairway a second time, instead of hittingthe green on his second shot, the player would have earned only 2 pointsfor hitting the green in regulation, instead of earning 8 points forhitting the green in under regulation.

On the other hand, if the player's second shot had missed both thefairway and the green, then the player would not have earned the 2points available for hitting the fairway on his second shot or the 8points available for hitting the green on his second shot. In thatevent, the player would have earned a total of 8 points for the hole,instead of 16. On the second hole, a par 3 hole, the player successfullyexecuted a regulation hit onto the green on his first shot from the teebox (earning him 2 points for hitting the green in regulation), and thentwo-putted on the green to bring his total number of strokes to three,which is par on a par 3 hole. Shooting par on hole 2 earned the playeran additional 2 points. Therefore, the player's total score for hole 2is 4 points (2+2). Using the same method of interpreting the rest of thecircled numbers in Table 1, it is seen that the player using thescorecard earned 6 points on hole 3, 16 points on hole 4, 2 points onhole 5, and 10 points on hole 6, all of which combine to produce asubtotal score of 54 points for the round, not counting any deductionstaken off of the score for hitting balls out of bounds, into a waterhazard or into an unplayable lie. But a subtotal score of 54 pointscompares very favorably with the 36 points that the player would haveearned had he merely played it safe and shot for par on every one of thesix holes.

In preferred embodiments, as further illustrated by Table 1, points havean asterisk on each hole if point deductions are required from theplayer's subtotal score at the end of the round for every ball that theplayer loses or hits out-of-bounds, into a water hazard or into anunplayable lie. In this case, 8 penalty points are deducted from theplayer's subtotal score of 54 to produce a final score of 46 points.

Although the exemplary scorecard shown in Table 1 above combines certaincardinal numbers, rows, columns, circles and shading to indicate thepoints available and the points awarded for successfully executingcertain shots, readers of this disclosure will recognize and appreciatethe fact that, in alternative embodiments, a variety of alternativesymbols, marks and graphical elements may be employed to practice thescoring system for games of Golf Warrior™ played in accordance with thepresent invention. As will be discussed in more detail below, forexample, the scorecard for the scoring system could use a combination ofcolors, shapes, check marks, rows and columns to represent potential andactual point awards, instead of the combination of cardinal numbers,circles, shading, rows and columns shown in Table 1, without departingfrom the scope of the claimed invention.

Golf Warriors™ Game Rules

The game rules for Golf Warriors™ substantially incorporate the rulesused in American and European golf (as promulgated, for example, by theUnited States Golfing Association® and the R&A, respectively), with thefollowing variations and exceptions:

GAME COURSE—The course may comprise any number of holes, such as sixholes, nine holes, 15 holes or eighteen holes. In a preferredembodiment, however, the course comprises 6 holes. When the coursecomprises 6 holes, three separate games of Golf Warriors™ may be playedsimultaneously on a single eighteen-hole golf course.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS—Golf Warriors™ may be played with any number ofplayers and any number of pods. In some embodiments, the game begins andends with 24 players (four players per hole) all playing on the same6-hole course simultaneously. In other embodiments, however, such as ina tournament, Golf Warriors™ may be played with multiple pods of 24players per pod, thereby raising the field of players to 48, 72, 144, orsome other large number of players. In still other embodiments, GolfWarriors™ may be played with a different number of players per hole,such as 2 or 3 or 5 players per hole, instead of the typical foursome,thereby creating pods of 12, 18 or 30 players, instead of pods of 24players, all playing simultaneously on the same 6-hole course.

SHOT CLOCK—Unless an official time out is in effect (as determined andcalled by an official referee), every player must hit his or her shotwithin a predetermined period of time (e.g., 35 seconds). Failure to doso before the predetermined period of time expires shall result in thata player forfeiting all of the points available for that particular shot(without forfeiting the points earned or points available for othershots on the same hole).

OBSTACLES ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE COURSE—All roads, paths, wastebunkers, trees and other natural and man-made obstacles are integralparts of the course and the ball must be played as it lies or bedeclared unplayable. However, in some embodiments of the game, where aroad, path or any other man-made or natural obstacle is deemed “groundunder repair” or deemed to be dangerous to the welfare of the golfer,the golfer may be permitted to drop his ball at the nearest point ofrelief without taking a penalty.

NO CADDY CONSULTATIONS ON PUTTING SURFACES—Caddies are allowed toconsult with their players on tee boxes as well as their fairwayapproach shots, subject to the shot clock rule. Caddies are not howeverpermitted to consult with their caddies on the putting surfaces. Playersdeemed to have breached this rule will forfeit whatever points they mayhave made in relation to par (par, birdie, eagle, albatross).

NO BALL-PLACEMENT MARKING AFTER PUTTING BEGINS—Once a player hascommenced putting on a green, that player must finish out the holewithout stopping to mark the position of the ball on the green. As withshots taken from other locations on the course, the shot clock ruleapplies to every putt.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR LOSING A BALL, HITTING A BALL OUT OF BOUNDS,HITTING A BALL INTO A LATERAL OR WATER HAZARD, HITTING A BALL INTO ANUNPLAYABLE LIE—IF A PLAYER HAS CAUSE TO LOSE A BALL OR TO HIT IN INTO ANUNPLAYABLE LIE—Points (e.g., 4 points) will be deducted from a player'shole tally of points for each occurrence.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR HITTING A BALL OUT OF BOUNDS—Points (e.g., 4points) will be deducted from a player's final tally of points for thehole if, on any hole, the player hits a shot that results in the ballcoming to rest outside any wall, fence or white stake defining theboundary of the course.

Where the out of bounds is defined by white stakes or fence posts, theline joining the nearest inside points at the ground level defines theboundary. A ball is out of bounds or deemed lost when all of it lies onor over such line.

A ball that crosses a road defined as out of bounds and comes to restbeyond that road is considered out of bounds, even if the ball lies onanother part of the course.

MANDATORY MULLIGANS FOR LOST BALLS AND OUT-OF-BOUNDS SHOTS—When a shotresults in a ball becoming lost on the course or coming to restout-of-bounds, the player must “replay” shot (i.e., take a mulligan)from the same location where the errant shot was first taken.

The player is permitted a maximum of 3 Mulligans in total per roundafter which he is disqualified from the game. Deducted penalty pointsare assessed and recorded at the end of each hole. The penalties maycomprise, for example, a deduction of 4 points for each ball lost duringthe round, and a deduction of 4 points for each ball hit out-of-boundson each hole during the round.

When a player takes a mulligan shot, all of the previous shots,including all of the previous mulligan shots taken from the sameposition on the course are ignored for purposes of calculating the totalnumber of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a playermay still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par,birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, regardless of how many mulliganshots and penalty assessments are required by that player to completethe hole. This rule permits and encourages players to attemptincreasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points toovercome the penalty assessments for hitting balls that become lost orgo out-of-bounds.

The shot clock is reset prior to each mulligan shot after an officialconfirms that the previous shot has resulted in the ball becoming lostor going out-of-bounds.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR HITTING A BALL INTO A WATER HAZARD OR LATERALHAZARD—Points (e.g., 4 points) will be deducted from a player's finaltally for the round if, on any hole, the player hits a shot that resultsin the ball coming to rest in a water hazard. Water hazards are definedby yellow (water hazard) or red (lateral hazard) lines.

MANDATORY MULLIGANS FOR UNPLAYABLE BALLS IN A WATER OR LATERALHAZARD—When a shot results in a ball becoming unplayable in a water orlateral hazard, the player must “replay” shot (i.e., take a mulligan)from the same location where the errant shot was first taken.

THE PLAYER IS PERMITTED A MAXIMUM OF 3 MULLIGANS IN TOTAL PER ROUNDAFTER WHICH HE IS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT. Deducted penalty pointsare assessed and recorded at the end of each hole. The penalties maycomprise, for example, a deduction of 4 points for each ball lost duringthe round, and a deduction of 4 points for each ball hit out-of-boundson each hole during the round.

When a player takes a mulligan shot, all of the previous shots,including all of the previous mulligan shots taken from the sameposition on the course are ignored for purposes of calculating the totalnumber of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a playermay still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par,birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, regardless of how many mulliganshots and penalty assessments are required by that player to completethe hole. This rule permits and encourages players to attemptincreasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points toovercome the penalty assessments for hitting balls that become lost orgo out-of-bounds.

The shot clock is reset prior to each mulligan shot after an officialconfirms that the previous shot has resulted in the ball becoming lostor going out-of-bounds.

In an alternative version, if a player hits a ball into the water fromthe teeing ground area, fairway or rough, the player may (1) takeanother shot (mulligan) from that same teeing or hitting area, or (2)forfeit his right to take a mulligan and hit his next shot from adefined drop zone associated with the water hazard. If a player hits aball into a lateral water hazard, then the player must hit his next shotfrom a position that is within two club lengths of the lateral waterhazard and on a line coinciding with the trajectory of the original ballwhen the original ball crossed over the boundary of the hazard. Shotsthat resulted in the ball going into the water hazard are ignored forpurposes of calculating the total number of strokes in the player'sresult for that hole, should a player elect to take up the option toplay a mulligan from his original lie. Thus, a player may still attain aregulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle oralbatross) on a hole, despite having hit one or more balls into thewater hazard and suffering one or more penalty assessments at the end ofthe round for doing so. This rule permits and encourages players toattempt increasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enoughpoints to overcome the penalty assessments for hitting balls into waterhazards.

PENALTIES ASSESSED FOR TAKING RELIEF FROM UNPLAYABLE LIES—Points (e.g.,2 points) will be deducted from a player's final tally for the round if,on any hole, the player hits a shot that results in the ball coming torest in an unplayable position on the course.

MANDATORY MULLIGANS FOR UNPLAYABLE LIES—When a shot results in a ballbecoming UNPLAYABLE LIE, the player must “replay” shot (i.e., take amulligan) from the same location where the errant shot was first taken.

The PLAYER IS PERMITTED A MAXIMUM OF 3 MULLIGANS IN TOTAL PER ROUNDAFTER WHICH HE IS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT. Deducted penalty pointsare assessed and recorded at the end of each hole. The penalties maycomprise, for example, a deduction of 4 points for each ball lost duringthe round, and a deduction of 4 points for each ball hit out-of-boundson each hole during the round.

When a player takes a mulligan shot, all of the previous shots,including all of the previous mulligan shots taken from the sameposition on the course are ignored for purposes of calculating the totalnumber of strokes in the player's result for that hole. Thus, a playermay still attain a regulation or under-regulation result (i.e., a par,birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, regardless of how many mulliganshots and penalty assessments are required by that player to completethe hole. This rule permits and encourages players to attemptincreasingly difficult shots in order to accumulate enough points toovercome the penalty assessments for hitting balls that become lost orgo out-of-bounds.

The shot clock is reset prior to each mulligan shot after an officialconfirms that the previous shot has resulted in the ball becoming lostor going out-of-bounds.

In an alternative version, if when in situation above, the player musteither (1) drop the ball within two club lengths of where the ball cameto rest, or (2) hit the ball from a position that is on a direct linebackwards from the unplayable ball, the line being defined by thepositions of the unplayable ball and the flag for the hole.

If a player cannot exercise either one of the two options above, thenthe ball shall be deemed to be “lost,” and the player must take thepenalty for losing a ball (described above) for the round. In thisinstance, the player must return to the point from which he hit his lastshot.

Shots that resulted in an unplayable lie are ignored for purposes ofcalculating the total number of strokes in the player's result for thathole. Thus, a player may still attain a regulation or under-regulationresult (i.e., a par, birdie, eagle or albatross) on a hole, despitehaving hit into one or more unplayable lies and suffering one or morepenalty assessments at the end of the round for doing so. This rulepermits and encourages players to attempt increasingly difficult shotsin order to accumulate enough points to overcome the penalty assessmentsfor hitting balls into unplayable lies.

In preferred embodiments, if a player hits a ball out-of-bounds or intoa water hazard, or an unplayable lie that player must replay the shotfrom where he last played. There is however a maximum of 3 mulligans perround. Suppose, for example, that the hole is a par 5. On his firstshot, the player hits the fairway, and therefore earns 2 points forhitting the fairway. He then proceeds to his second shot, where heattempts, without success, to drive the ball all the way to the green.Instead, the ball flies into a water hazard. At this point, the playermust hit another shot from his same position, as if he were playing hissecond shot. In other words, the player's “first” second shot, which hehit into the water, does not count as his second shot and will not becounted as a stroke against the player's final stroke tally for thehole. If the hits the green on his replay of his second shot (which isin reality his third shot), then he will receive 8 points for hisreplayed shot because his replayed shot will be treated as his secondshot for purposes of the hole. If he then proceeds to the green and putsthe ball into the cup in two putts, his total number of strokes for thehole will be 4 strokes, which is a birdie on a par 5 hole. Therefore,the player will receive another six points for picking up the birdie.All told, the player will have received 2 points for his first shot fromthe tee, 8 points for his replayed second shot from the fairway, and 6points for the birdie, for a total of 16 points on the hole. However,when the round ends and he tallies up his scorecard for the round, hemust subtract four points from his final tally to account for hittingthe ball into the water on his original second shot.

In the case of hitting into an unplayable lie, the same concept applies.The player is entitled to take relief from the unplayable lie by movinghis ball to the closest point of relief in order to hit his next shot.But when the player tallies up his scorecard at the end of the round, hemust deduct two points for every ball hit into an unplayable lie.

Exemplary Scoring Events for a Round Played by Four Players

To further illustrate the features, benefits and advantages of thescoring system for the Golf Warrior™ game of the present invention, theevents and the scoring for an entire round played by four players willnow be described with reference to the exemplary scorecards shown inFIGS. 1-4, and the exemplary hole layouts shown in FIGS. 5-10. Unlikethe previous example, however, where cardinal numbers and circles areplaced in a table to represent potential and actual scoring for eachshot, this example utilizes shapes (rectangles and circles) and colors(green, red, purple and orange) or symbols instead of colours (e.g.solid shape, shape with a plus, shape with a cross, shape with a star)to represent the number of points available for each shot or holeresult, and check marks to represent the actual scores on each shot andeach hole.

The following key describes the scoring system used in this example:

Scoring System Key

Scorecard Columns

F1 Scoring Column 1=Points Available for Successful First Fairway Shot(Hit) F2 Scoring Column 2=Points Available for Successful Second FairwayShot (Hit) G Scoring Column 3=Points Available for Successful Green Shot(Hit) R Scoring Column 4=Points Available for Overall Results on Hole(i.e., Par, Birdie, Eagle, Albatross)

From the Tee Box to the Green (Columns F1, F2 and G):

Solid Square=2 points (Regulation Play)Red Square=8 points (Hitting green under regulation)

Overall Results on the Hole (Column R):

Solid Circle=Par=2 points (Regulation Play)Purple Circle=Birdie=6 points (1 shot below regulation play)Blue Circle=Eagle=10 points (2 shots below regulation play)Orange Circle=Albatross=16 points (3 shots below regulation play)

Regulation Definitions

Par 3—On the green in 1 stroke, plus 2 putts to put the ball in the cup.Par 4—On the green in 2 strokes, plus 2 putts to put the ball in thecup.Par 5—On the green in 3 strokes, plus 2 putts to put the ball in thecup.

Penalty Deductions

Each Lost Ball—4 pointsEach Ball hit Out-of-Bounds—4 pointsEach Ball hit into a Water Hazard—4 pointsEach Ball hit into an Unplayable Lie—2 points

As shown on the score cards of FIGS. 1-4, the four players participatingin the round are John McHenry, Paul Tingle, Cathy D'Arcy and LukeWalker. FIG. 11 shows the final tallies for all participants.

Scoring Events on Hole No. 1 (Par 5) John McHenry

Missed the fairway with his first tee shot and so gets no opportunity torecord 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots—the amount of shots assignedtowards hitting the green on a par 5) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 5 and so records 2 points (solidcircle) in the fourth column

John McHenry Therefore Records a Total of 6 Points on the 1^(st) Hole

Paul Tingle

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points in thefirst left hand column.

Hit the green with his second shot (green under regulation) and sorecords 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column

1 putted the green for an eagle (two shots below the amount of shotsassigned to the hole) and so records 10 points by ticking the bluecircle in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 20 points on the 1^(st) hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the fairway with her first tee shot and so registers 2 points in thefirst left hand column.

Hit the green with her second shot (green under regulation) and sorecords 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column.

2 putted the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shotsassigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purplecircle in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 16 points on the 1^(st) hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points byticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points (solidsquare) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 5 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 8 points on the 1^(st) hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 2 (Par 3) John McHenry

Missed the green with his tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (insolid box column 3)

However he chips and 1-putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 2 points on the 2^(nd) hole

Paul Tingle

Hit the green with his tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid boxcolumn 3)

He then 2 putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole)and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 4 points on the 2^(nd) hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the green with her tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid boxcolumn 3)

She then 2 putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole)and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 4 points on the 2^(nd) hole

Luke Walker

Hit the green with his tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid boxcolumn 3)

He then 2 putts for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole)and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 4 points on the 2^(nd) hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 3 (Par 4) John McHenry

Hit the fairway with his tee shot and therefore earns 2 points in thesolid box in the first left hand column.

Missed the green in regulation (2 shots) and so has no opportunity torecord two points in the solid box in the third column from the left

Fails to make a par 4 on the hole and therefore also has no opportunityto record 2 points in the solid circle in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 2 points on the 3^(rd) hole

Paul Tingle

Drives the green with his tee shot (green under regulation) and isrewarded by recording 8 points in the red box in the third column

He then 2 putts the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount ofshots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking thepurple circle in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 14 points on the 3^(rd) hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the fairway with her tee shot and so record 2 points in the solidbox in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation and records a further 2 points (solid squarein column 3)

She then 1 putts the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount ofshots assigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking thepurple circle in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 10 points on the 3^(rd) hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points byticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation (2 shots) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 4 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 6 points on the 3rd hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 4 (Par 5) John McHenry

Missed the fairway with his tee shot and so gets no opportunity torecord 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green with his second shot (green under regulation) and sorecords 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column

2 putted the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shotsassigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purplecircle in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 14 points on the 4^(th) hole

Paul Tingle

Hit the fairway with his tee shot and so records 2 points in the firstleft hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

3 putted the green for a bogey 6 (one shot over the amount of shotsassigned to the hole) and so gets no opportunity to record 2 points inthe solid circle in the fourth column.

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 6 points on the 4^(th) hole

Cathy D'arcy

Missed the fairway with her tee shot and so gets no opportunity torecord 2 points in the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green with her second shot (green under regulation) and sorecords 8 points for that by ticking the red box in the third column

2 putted the green for a birdie (one shot below the amount of shotsassigned to the hole) and so records 6 points by ticking the purplecircle in the fourth column

Cathy D'arcy therefore records a total of 14 points on the 4^(th) hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so records 2 points byticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the fairway with his second shot and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the second column from the left

Hit the green in regulation (3 shots) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 5 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 8 points on the 4^(th) hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 5 (Par 3) John McHenry

Missed the green with his tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (insolid box column 3)

Failed to make a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole) and sofails to record 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column.

John McHenry therefore records a total of 0 points on the 5^(th) hole

Paul Tingle

Missed the green with his tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (insolid box column 3)

He then chipped and one putted for a par 3 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 2 points on the 4^(th) hole

Cathy D'arcy

Missed the green with her tee shot and so fails to record 2 points (insolid box column 3)

She then chipped and one putted for a par 3 (the amount of shotsassigned to the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in thefourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 2 points on the 4^(th) hole

Luke Walker

Hit the green with his tee shot and so records 2 points (in solid boxcolumn 3)

He then 2 putted for a par 3 (the amount of shots assigned to the hole)and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 4 points on the 4^(th) hole

Scoring Events on Hole No. 6 (Par 4) John McHenry

Hit his tee shot onto the green (green under regulation) and is rewardedby recording 8 points in the red box in the third column

He then 1 putted the green for an eagle (two shots below the amount ofshots assigned to the hole) and so records 10 points by ticking thepurple circle in the fourth column

John McHenry therefore records a total of 18 points on the 6th hole

Paul Tingle

Missed the fairway with his tee shot onto the green (green underregulation) and so had no opportunity to record 2 points in the solidbox in the first left hand column.

Missed the green in regulation (2 shots) and so had no opportunity torecord two points in the solid box in the third column from the left

He then chipped and one putted for a par 4 and so ticked the solidcircle in the fourth column

Paul Tingle therefore records a total of 2 points on the 6^(th) hole

Cathy D'arcy

Hit the fairway with her first tee shot and so records 2 points byticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation (2 shots) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 4 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Cathy Darcy therefore records a total of 6 points on the 6^(th) hole

Luke Walker

Hit the fairway with his first tee shot and so registers 2 points byticking the solid box in the first left hand column.

Hit the green in regulation (2 shots) and so records 2 points for that(solid square) in the third column from the left

2 putted the green for a regulation par 4 (the amount of shots assignedto the hole) and so records 2 points (solid circle) in the fourth column

Luke Walker therefore records a total of 6 points on the 6^(th) hole

In some embodiments, handicap points are calculated, based on the sizeand difficulty of the course and the skill levels of the players, andthose handicap points are added to each player's scores at the end ofthe round. FIG. 11 shows the final tallies for all participants,including final scores after penalty points have been deduced andhandicaps have been added.

In an alternative embodiment the markings for scoring on the scorecardare replaced as follows:

Solid square=green square;Empty square=red square;Solid circle=green circle;Empty circle=red circle;Plus circle=blue circle; andCrossed circle=orange circle.

In this alternative embodiment the ease of playing may be improved,because the colours used make the scoring symbols more visuallydistinctive and easier for players, commentators and spectators tocommit to memory and discuss during a round of play. Coloured scoringsymbols may also provide a more aesthetically pleasing scorecard. Inthat way the coloured symbols may make the game easier to play.

The method described herein significantly reduces the overall timerequired for players to complete a round or a match, and also encouragesplayers to play more aggressively, and to take more high-risk andhigh-reward shots, thereby maximizing the action and drama of gameplay,and increasing the interest, attention and entertainment value forplayers and spectators alike.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filedconcurrently with or previous to this specification in connection withthis application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

1. A method of providing a game of golf using a scorecard, the methodcomprising designating a number of points available for each shot aplayer takes in a round of golf when playing towards a golf hole, thenumber of points being designated according to a difficulty of a shottaken by a player; and providing the scorecard for completion by or forthe player with a score achieved after each shot is taken.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising designating a number of points forfinishing a given golf hole with a predefined number of strokes.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of possiblepoints to be scored for each shot played on a given golf hole, whereinan achieved number of points on a given shot is selectable or markableafter the shot has been taken.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thescorecard includes a location for inserting a sum of points achieved fora given hole.
 5. A scorecard for a golf game, the scorecard comprising,for each hole of a golf course to be played, a first number of pointsfor hitting a regulation shot that would achieve a par number of shotsfor a given hole, and a second number of points for hitting an underregulation shot that would achieve a sub-par number of shots for thegiven hole.
 6. The scorecard of claim 5, wherein the first and secondnumbers of points are displayed in an abstract symbol selected from aset of abstract symbols.
 7. The scorecard of claim 6, wherein eachabstract symbol in the set of abstract symbols corresponds to a givennumber of points.
 8. The scorecard of claim 7, wherein a specific colorof abstract symbol corresponds to a given number of points, and acombination of the specific color with a specific abstract symbolrepresents a specific number of points.
 9. The scorecard of claim 5,which includes a location for inserting a sum of points achieved for agiven hole.
 10. A method of using a golf course, comprising dividing agroup of players into sub-groups, setting off each sub-group of playersat the start of a different starting golf hole on the golf course to theother sub-groups at substantially the same time, each sub-group playinga golf game on the respective different starting golf holes in a setperiod of time.
 11. The method of claim 10, in which each of thesub-groups proceeds to a following golf hole on the golf course afterplaying the respective starting golf holes.
 12. The method of claim 10,further comprising providing a scoring system for each golf hole on thegolf course, wherein each player can earn a predetermined number of shotpoints for each type of shot that the player makes while the player isplaying up to a green for the golf hole, and each player can also earn apredetermined number of result points for finishing the golf hole with apredefined number of strokes.
 13. A method of playing a round of golf,comprising the following steps: a) providing a playing course having aplurality of holes, each hole having a teeing ground, a fairway, a greenand a cup on the green; b) dividing a collection of players into aplurality of groups, each group having multiple players; c) assigningeach group of multiple players to begin play on one of the plurality ofholes on the playing course; d) providing a scoring system for each holeon the playing course, wherein each player can earn a predeterminednumber of shot points for each type of shot that the player makes whilethe player is playing up to the green for the hole, and each player canalso earn a predetermined number of result points for finishing the holewith a predefined number of strokes; e) activating a starting signal tosignal each group in the plurality of groups to start playing on theassigned hole, so that all groups in the plurality of groups are playingthe plurality of holes simultaneously, wherein an objective of eachplayer in each group is to strike a ball into the cup on the green forthe assigned hole while accumulating the highest number of shot pointsand the highest number of result points in accordance with the scoringsystem for the assigned hole; f) rotating each group in the plurality ofgroups to the next hole on the playing course until all of the playersin all of the groups have played all of the holes on the playing course;and g) declaring a particular player to be a winner of the round basedon the particular player's score for the round, wherein the particularplayer's score for the round comprises the sum of the particularplayer's total number of shot points and total number of result pointsaccumulated during the round.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theplurality of holes for the playing course comprise six holes.
 15. Themethod of claim 13 wherein or claim 1, wherein the collection of playerscomprises twenty-four players.
 16. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising deducting points from a player's score at the end of the holefor every ball that the player hit out-of-bounds during the round. 17.The method of claim 13, further comprising deducting points from aplayer's score at the end of the hole for every ball that the playerlost during the round.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdeducting points from a player's score at the end of the hole for everyball that the player hit into a water hazard during the round.
 19. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising deducting points from a player'sscore at the end of the hole for every ball that the player hit into anunplayable lie during the round.
 20. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising, for a par 3 hole on the playing course, rewarding a playerwith zero shot points for failing to hit the green on the first stroke,zero result points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on thegreen in three or fewer strokes; a positive number of shot points fordriving the ball onto the green on the first stroke, a positive numberof result points for driving the ball into the cup on the green inexactly three strokes, and a relatively higher positive number of resultpoints for driving the ball into the cup on the green in less than threestrokes.
 21. The method of claim 13, further comprising, for a par 4hole on the playing course, rewarding a player with zero shot points forfailing to hit the fairway on the first stroke, zero shot points forfailing to hit the green on either the first or second strokes, zeroresult points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green infour or fewer strokes, a positive number of shot points for driving theball onto the fairway on the first stroke, a positive number of shotpoints for driving the ball onto the green on the second stroke, arelatively higher positive number of shot points for driving the ballonto the green on the first stroke, a positive number of result pointsfor driving the ball into the cup on the green in exactly four strokes,and a relatively higher positive number of result points for driving theball into the cup on the green in less than four strokes.
 22. The methodof claim 13, further comprising, for a par 5 hole on the playing course,rewarding a player with zero shot points for failing to hit the fairwayon the first stroke; zero shot points for failing to hit the fairway onthe either the first or the second stroke, zero shot points for failingto hit the green on either the first, the second or third strokes, zeroresult points for failing to drive the ball into the cup on the green infive or fewer strokes, a positive number of shot points for driving theball onto the fairway on either the first or the second strokes, apositive number of shot points for driving the ball onto the green onthe third stroke, a relatively higher positive number of shot points fordriving the ball onto the green on either the first or the secondstrokes, a positive number of result points for driving the ball intothe cup on the green in exactly five strokes, and a relatively higherpositive number of result points for driving the ball into the cup onthe green in less than five strokes.
 23. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising penalizing a player for failing to hit the ball within aprescribed time limit.